South Frontenac Council

Mar 04, 2015

Loughborough Lake Association raises lake capacity issue in Johnston Point development

by Wilma Kenny and Jeff Green

The Johnston Point Plan of Condominum on the east basin of Loughborough Lake is in the late stages of approval and seems to be favoured by South Frontenac Council and the township's planning department.

However it remains a controversial development for some of the neighbouring property owners and has drawn the attention of the Battersea Loughborough Lake Association as well.

At a public open house on Tuesday night, a number of people spoke.

Mat Rennie pointed out that some of the covenants meant to protect the shoreline along the nearby Applewood development had already been violated, with trees cut and not replaced as requested by the township.

Helen Bartsch questioned the calculation of frontage, saying that the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) assured her that a wetland edge should not count as a high water line.

Roel Vertegaal quoted a Queen’s biologist as saying that Loughborough Lake was part of the UN designated Biosphere reserve because the area was considered to be “the most biodiverse area in Ontario, unique in the world”. Jeff Peters quoted the township’s Official Plan’s intent to “preserve and enhance the rural environment”, saying he couldn’t remember when a decision was made which would either preserve or enhance rural character.

M. Koen asked “How much development (on this lake) is appropriate? What’s the lake’s capacity? Is this development compatible with existing and proposed development on Loughborough Lake?’

Developer Mike Keene spoke briefly at the end, saying that all the above concerns had already been addressed in writing, and he would be happy to address any that are left.

In addition to the presentations, the township received a letter submitted by Association Vice President Brian Ward and Secretary Sherry Cornell on behalf of its board of directors. The association raises a number of issues that are similar to the ones presented at the open house.

In addition, the association raised the issue about lake capacity in some detail, pointing out that the new 14-lot development, in conjunction with a 3-lot severance and a recent 22-lot development by the same developer across the bay will increase the total number of lots on the east basin by 39, a 12% increase in short order to a basin that now has 317 lots on it.

“The township does not have a plan for the lake and thus must react to proposals after the developers have invested considerable time and effort. We are hoping to encourage the township to move from this reactive approach to a planned, forward thinking approach. The association would be prepared to work with the township and other agencies in this regard,” says the letter.

The letter also talks about breaches to the rules about vegetative buffers around lakes, which are crucial in the effort to prevent phosphate loading in the lakes.

“There are too many examples of the no tree cutting requirements not being followed on Loughborough Lake and other nearby lakes. The examples include other developments by the applicant for Johnston Point.”

The letter asks that these rules be communicated to all buyers in advance, but realises little can be done, even if property owners are fined once they have cleared buffers and done “irreparable damage to the lake”.

At next week’s Committee of the Whole meeting, (March 12) Council will have the opportunity to discuss the proposal again, and at that time they may also review and revise the draft conditions of approval.

South Frontenac politicians’ remuneration for 2014.

By Jeff Green

As a group, municipal politicians in South Frontenac were paid over $175,000 in 2014. The payments included a standard amount as an honorarium paid to each council member once a month (the mayor and deputy mayor receive a higher amount), as well as payments for attending extra meetings.

Meetings of council sub-committees and the Committee of the Whole are considered extra meetings. As well, payments are made for mileage when councilors need to drive out of the township on township business, and per diems are paid when councilors attend conferences.

Former mayor, Gary Davison, received $29,208 for the first 11 months of 2014 (the new council took over on December 1). That includes $19,810 as an honorarium, and just under $10,000 for meetings, mileage, etc.

The current mayor, Ron Vandewal, received $23,274 for 11 months as deputy mayor and one month as mayor.

Other payments included $21,040 to Pat Barr; $17,989 to John McDougall; $17,858 to Bill Robinson; $17,773 to Alan McPhail; $15,492 to Del Stowe; and $12,651 to Cam Naish. Newly elected members of council who received payment only for December included: Mark Schjerning, Alan Revill, Norm Roberts and Ron Sleeth, who each received a little over $1,300.

These figures do not include the remuneration received by Gary Davison, John McDougall and Ron Vandewal for serving as members of Frontenac County Council. Those payments come out of the county budget.

Coincidentally, the total paid to South Frontenac volunteer firefighters in 2014 was also released this week. All told, the firefighters received $300,883 in pay in 2014. This is based on $30 per call and $10.38 for every hour after a three hour minimum, as well as pay for training sessions.

Pleasant Valley Road Quarry Expansion

Planner Mills reported that both the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Natural resources had expressed no objections to the Official Plan amendment that would allow the quarry owner (Jackson’s Earth Stones) to apply for a quarry license to expand its area. “The actual scale of operation is not expected to increase.” Mills said the quarry owner had agreed to amend the encroachment area from 300 metres to 150 metres, in response to a neighbour’s wish to keep open the option of severing lots from his property. Several Councillors spoke in support, saying the quarry owner had proven to be a respectful, good neighbour. Mills said the amendment would stand, even if the quarry property should change ownership in the future.

Contract for By-law Enforcement Services

Council awarded a 3-year contract to the current by-law enforcement officer, Ken Gilpin, with an option to renew for an additional two years. There had been no other responses to the RFP.

Honorariums Adjusted

The firefighters’ honorarium for calls and training was raised from $30 to $35, and the South Frontenac Recreation Committee members’ honorarium was increased from $25 to $30.

Public Works Report Township Returns to Original Hazardous Waste Management Company

Council accepted Mark Segsworth’s recommendation that the Township re-engage Brendar Environmental Ltd to manage the hazardous waste site, for although their bid was not the lowest, they had provided much better customer service that the current company, Drain-all. Mayor Vandewal added that Brendar did not require as much assistance from Township staff.

Portland Waste Site

Council approved Segsworth’s recommendation to extend Morven Construction’s contract for phase two of the partial capping of the Portland waste disposal site. Marvin has agreed to maintain last year’s tender price to complete the work. Segsworth said the waste site is already much improved by the capping that has been done. Councillor Sutherland suggested that the Portland site might be a good location for solar pa els, which could help recover some operating costs. Segsworth agreed to look into this possibility.

Yarker Road Upgrade Comes in above Budget

In order to complete the work on Yarker Road this year, Segsworth recommended postponing the replacement of the Salmon Lake Road culvert until Sept 2016, thus transferring $400,000 to the Yarker Road project.

Otter Lake Meeting

Segsworth recommended a public meeting with the “fairly knowledgeable North and South Otter Lake Association” some time this spring, perhaps in May, to discuss replacing

the culverts at the end of North Otter Lake, and between North and South Otter, both of which are part of a navigable waterway.

Bellrock Community Meeting

There will be a community meeting in Bellrock Hall Thursday March 5, at 7:00, re the village revitalization planning.